Notebook

Abstract

To provide a writing instrument capable of maintaining an effect of suppressing backlash in a barrel of a writing body and unnecessary for a user to remove an annular member in replacing the writing body, thereby preventing the annular member from being lost.SOLUTION: The writing instrument includes a barrel having an opening at a front end, a writing body stored in the barrel, and an annular member mounted on an inner surface of the barrel. The writing body includes a pen point and an ink reservoir storing an ink in its inside. The barrel comprises at least a front shaft including an opening from which the pen point is protruded, and a rear shaft detachably screwed into the front shaft. The annular member is mounted at a rear part of the front shaft, and the writing body is loosely inserted into the annular member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a writing instrument, and more particularly to a writing instrument having a writing element housed in a barrel of the writing instrument. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a writing instrument comprising a barrel, a refill that can be stored in the barrel, a support member that is assembled between the barrel and the refill, and a return spring that is positioned rearward of the support member and urges the refill rearward, wherein the support member is assembled at a predetermined position in the front-to-back direction so that when the front part of the refill, which is cantilevered on the support member, vibrates due to a predetermined external force, the front part of the refill will not collide with the inner surface of the barrel or the tip opening.

[0003] According to this writing instrument, it is possible to reduce external impacts on the refill compared to conventional writing instruments. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-142369 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the support member (corresponding to the annular member in the present application) can be attached to the refill (corresponding to the writing element in the present application) from the side (radial direction), and its axial attachment position can be adjusted. In other words, the support member's axial position can be easily adjusted by the user. For this reason, there is a risk that the support member may move unexpectedly in the forward / backward direction while using the writing instrument, making it difficult to maintain the desired effect of reducing impact on the refill.

[0006] Furthermore, with the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the support member can be easily attached to the refill, and the support member can be easily rearranged when replacing the refill. Therefore, when replacing the refill, the user must remove the support member, which may result in the support member being lost.

[0007] The present invention has been made in light of the above findings, and its purpose is to provide a writing instrument in which the annular member does not move unexpectedly in the forward and backward directions, maintaining the effect of suppressing rattling of the writing body within the barrel, and in which the user does not need to remove the annular member when replacing the writing body, thereby preventing the annular member from being lost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The writing instrument of the present invention comprises a barrel having an opening at the front end, a writing body housed in the barrel, and an annular member attached to the inner surface of the barrel, wherein the writing body comprises a nib and an ink reservoir tube containing ink therein, and the barrel comprises at least a front barrel having the opening through which the nib protrudes, and a rear barrel that is removably screwed onto the front barrel, wherein the annular member is attached to the rear of the front barrel, and the writing body is arranged to pass loosely through the annular member.

[0009] According to the present invention, the annular member is attached to the rear of the front barrel, and the writing element is loosely inserted into the annular member, so that the annular member does not move unexpectedly in the front-rear direction, and the effect of suppressing rattle of the writing element inside the barrel can be maintained. Furthermore, when replacing the writing element, the user does not need to remove the annular member, and loss of the annular member can be prevented.

[0010] Preferably, the writing instrument is a retractable writing instrument that houses the writing body within the barrel so that it can move back and forth, houses a spring within the front barrel that urges the writing body backward, and is equipped with a retractable mechanism that moves the writing body forward against the backward urging of the spring, causing the pen tip to protrude from the opening.

[0011] In the present invention, the structure of the writing instrument does not matter, such as a cap-type writing instrument with a cap that covers the pen tip, or a retractable writing instrument in which the writing body moves back and forth within the barrel and appears and disappears from the front end opening of the barrel, etc. However, the retractable writing instrument in particular can more effectively enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0012] Preferably, the ink reservoir is made of a metal pipe, which allows the ink reservoir to have a thin wall thickness and thus can contain a larger amount of ink. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the annular member does not move unexpectedly in the forward and backward directions, and the effect of suppressing rattle of the writing element inside the barrel can be maintained. Furthermore, when replacing the writing element, the user does not need to remove the annular member, and loss of the annular member can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a writing instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an annular member is attached to the rear end of the front axle. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a front view of the annular member of the writing instrument of Figure 1. Figure 4(b) is a bottom view of the annular member of Figure 4(a). Figure 4(c) is a perspective view of the annular member of Figure 4(a). [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of a main portion of a writing instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing an annular member attached to the inner surface of the rear barrel. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a front view of the annular member of the second embodiment, Figure 6(b) is a bottom view of the annular member of Figure 6(a), and Figure 6(c) is a perspective view of the annular member of Figure 6(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Two embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the writing instrument 10 of the present embodiment, "front" or "bottom" refers to the side of the pen tip 121 of the writing instrument 10, and "rear" or "top" refers to the opposite side.

[0016] First Embodiment 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a writing instrument 10 in the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the pen tip 121 does not protrude (pen tip retracted state). In this embodiment, the writing instrument 10 is a retractable writing instrument in which the writing body moves back and forth within the barrel 11, and the pen tip 121 protrudes and retracts from the front end opening of the barrel 11, but the present invention is also applicable to a cap-type writing instrument equipped with a cap that covers the pen tip.

[0017] Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the portion of Fig. 1 where the annular member 13 is attached. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the annular member 13 is fitted to the rear end of the front barrel 111. In other words, Fig. 3 is a view showing the state in which the front barrel 111 has been separated from the rear barrel 114 in order to replace the writing element. Fig. 4(a) is a front view of the annular member 13 of the writing instrument 10 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4(b) is a bottom view of the annular member 13 of Fig. 4(a). Fig. 4(c) is a perspective view of the annular member 13 of Fig. 4(a).

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the writing instrument 10 of this embodiment comprises a barrel 11 having an opening at the front end, a writing body housed in the barrel 11, a ring-shaped member 13 attached to the inner surface of the barrel 11, an operating portion 16 for operating the pen tip 121 provided on the side of the barrel 11 to extend and retract, and a spring 14 for urging the writing body backward.

[0019] The writing instrument also includes a nib 121, an ink reservoir 122 that contains ink, and a holder 123 that connects the nib 121 and the ink reservoir 122. The barrel 11 also includes a front barrel 111 that has an opening through which the nib 121 protrudes, and a rear barrel 114 that is detachably screwed onto the front barrel 111. The writing instrument 10 of this embodiment also includes a crown attached to the rear of the rear barrel 114, and a soft member 15 inserted into the crown. An annular member 13 is attached to the rear of the front barrel 111, and the writing instrument is provided so as to pass through the annular member 13 with a gap.

[0020] ·Removable writing instrument As shown in Figure 1, the writing instrument 10 of this embodiment is a retractable writing instrument that houses the writing body in a barrel 11 so that it can move back and forth, houses a spring 14 that urges the writing body backward in a front barrel 111, and is equipped with a retractable mechanism that moves the writing body forward against the backward urging of the spring 14, causing the pen tip 121 to protrude from the opening.

[0021] The retractable writing instrument of this embodiment has a side-slide mechanism using a rotary cam mechanism. It comprises a cam formed on the inner surface of rear barrel 114, a rotating member that engages with the cam and abuts against the rear end of the writing element, an operating member 16 that engages with the rotating member and protrudes radially outward from a slide hole on the side of rear barrel 114, and a spring 14 (e.g., a compression coil spring) housed within barrel tube 11 and biases writing element 12 rearward. The retractable writing instrument of this embodiment is a double-knock mechanism in which operating member 16 slides forward for both the pen tip extension and retraction operations.

[0022] ·Shaft cylinder 1 to 3, barrel 11 is made up of front barrel 111 having an opening at the front end through which pen tip 121 protrudes, and rear barrel 114 which is detachably screwed onto front barrel 111. In this embodiment, front barrel 111 and rear barrel 114 are cylindrical bodies with open ends that are manufactured by injection molding or extrusion molding of synthetic resin.

[0023] Front barrel 111 has an opening at its front end through which pen tip 121 protrudes, and a male threaded portion 112 at its rear end that screws into female threaded portion 115 of rear barrel 114. Front barrel 111 also has a fitting portion 113 at its rear end to which annular member 13, described below, is attached (fitted). Fitting portion 113 is provided on the inner surface of the rear end of front barrel 111, and is press-fitted into front barrel fitting portion 131 of annular member 13. In this embodiment, fitting portion 113 has a circumferential smooth fitting surface, but may also have a circumferential inward protrusion or recessed groove.

[0024] Fitting portion 113 of front shaft 111 may be provided on the outer surface of the rear end of front shaft 111. In that case, front shaft fitting portion 131 of annular member 13 is provided on the inner surface of annular member 13. Even when fitting portion 113 of front shaft 111 is provided on the outer surface of the rear end of front shaft 111, fitting portion 113 may be provided with a circumferential smooth fitting surface, or may be provided with a circumferential outward protrusion or recessed groove.

[0025] Annular members The annular member 13 of this embodiment includes a front shaft fitting portion 131 that fits with the inner surface of the rear end of the front shaft 111, and a guide portion 134 in front of the front shaft fitting portion 131. The annular member 13 also includes a through hole 133 that passes through in the front-to-rear direction, and a flange portion 135 that abuts against the rear end of the front shaft 111, and a chamfered region 132 is provided at the rear end of the through hole 133.

[0026] In addition, in the writing instrument 10 of this embodiment, the writing element 12 is loosely disposed through the through hole 133. That is, the outer diameter of the writing element 12 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 133. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the writing element 12 (ink reservoir 122) is φ6.1 mm, and the inner diameter of the through hole 133 of the annular member 13 is φ6.3 mm.

[0027] In this embodiment, front shaft fitting portion 131 of annular member 13 is provided with a circumferential smooth fitting surface, but may also be provided with a circumferential outward protrusion or inner hole protrusion. If fitting portion 113 of front shaft 111 is provided on the outer surface of the rear end of front shaft 111, front shaft fitting portion 131 of annular member 13 is provided on the inner surface of annular member 13. In this case, front shaft fitting portion 131 of annular member 13 may be provided with a circumferential smooth fitting surface, or may be provided with a circumferential inner hole protrusion or recessed groove. Furthermore, front shaft 111 and annular member 13 may be formed integrally by bonding or two-color molding.

[0028] 2, the annular member 13 of this embodiment is provided with a chamfered region 132 around the entire circumference of the rear end of the through hole 133. The chamfered region 132 preferably has a radial width in the range of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm and an inclination angle θ in a cross section including the central axis of the through hole 133 in the range of 10° to 60°. In this embodiment, the radial width is 0.6 mm and the inclination angle θ is 30°.

[0029] The annular member 13 in this embodiment is made of polypropylene. However, the material of the annular member 13 used in the present invention is not limited to resin (e.g., polypropylene, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyethylene), and may be metal (e.g., brass, stainless steel).

[0030] ·Cursive The writing element 12 of this embodiment comprises a pen tip 121, an ink reservoir 122 containing ink therein, a holder 123 connecting the pen tip 121 and the ink reservoir 122, thermochromic ink filled in the ink reservoir 122, and a follower (e.g., a high-viscosity fluid) filled at the rear end of the thermochromic ink and moving forward as the thermochromic ink is consumed.

[0031] The pen tip 121 is, for example, a metal ballpoint pen tip that rotatably holds a ball at its front end. A tail plug with a vent hole that allows ventilation between the ink reservoir 122 and the outside is attached to the rear end opening of the ink reservoir 122. A spring that presses the ball at the front end forward is housed inside the pen tip 121. The spring is a compression coil spring with a rod portion attached to the front end, and the front end of the rod portion is in contact with the rear surface of the ball. When not writing, the forward bias of the spring brings the ball into close contact with the inner surface of the inward-facing front edge of the ballpoint pen tip, preventing ink leakage from the front end of the pen tip 121 and ink evaporation.

[0032] The ink reservoir 122 of this embodiment is made of a metal pipe using stainless steel (specifically, SUS304). The material of the ink reservoir 122 used in the present invention is not limited to metal, and it may be made of resin (for example, polypropylene or polyethylene).

[0033] Soft materials As shown in Figure 1, when the writing instrument 10 is a thermochromic writing instrument containing thermochromic ink, it may further include a soft member 15. The soft member 15 rubs the handwriting of the thermochromic ink, and the frictional heat generated at that time can thermally change the color of the handwriting of the thermochromic ink.

[0034] The elastic synthetic resin that constitutes the soft member 15 is preferably made of a low-wear elastic material that generates almost no wear debris (eraser debris) during friction, rather than a high-wear elastic material (such as an eraser).

[0035] The elastic material constituting the soft member 15 is preferably, for example, an elastic synthetic resin (rubber, elastomer), such as silicone resin, SBS resin (styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer), SEBS resin (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer), fluorine-based resin, chloroprene resin, nitrile resin, polyester-based resin, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), or a mixture of two or more rubber elastic materials, and a mixture of a rubber elastic material and a synthetic resin.

[0036] Ink In this embodiment, the ink contained in the writing element 12 (ink reservoir 122) is a thermochromic ink. The thermochromic ink is preferably a reversible thermochromic ink. The reversible thermochromic ink may be of various types, either alone or in combination, such as a thermal decolorization type that is decolorized from a colored state by heating, a color memory retention type that alternately retains a colored state or a decolorized state within a specific temperature range, or a thermal color development type that develops color from a decolorized state by heating and returns to the decolorized state by cooling from the colored state.

[0037] The coloring material contained in the reversible thermochromic ink is preferably, for example, a reversible thermochromic pigment in which a reversible thermochromic composition containing at least the three essential components of (i) an electron-donating color-forming organic compound, (ii) an electron-accepting compound, and (iii) a reaction medium that determines the temperature at which the reaction (coloring reaction) in which the two compounds chemically bond with each other occurs is encapsulated in microcapsules.

[0038] The ink used in the present invention is not limited to thermochromic ink, and ink compositions other than thermochromic ink can also be used. For example, writing ink, correction fluid, liquid glue, cosmetic liquid, etc. may be selected appropriately depending on the application of the liquid ejection device. The writing ink is not particularly limited to oil-based ink or water-based ink.

[0039] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main portion of a writing implement according to the second embodiment of the present invention, showing an annular member 23 fitted onto the inner surface of rear barrel 114. Figure 6(a) is a front view of annular member 23 of the second embodiment. Figure 6(b) is a bottom view of annular member 23 of Figure 6(a). Figure 6(c) is a perspective view of annular member 23 of Figure 6(a).

[0040] The writing instrument of this embodiment is a modified example of the first embodiment, and differs from the first embodiment in that the annular member 23 fits onto the rear barrel 114 and in the shape of the annular member 23. The other configurations of the second embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] Annular members The annular member 23 of this embodiment includes a rear axle fitting portion 231 that fits with the inner surface of the rear axle 114, and a guide portion 234 axially outward of the rear axle fitting portion 231. The rear axle fitting portion 231 and the guide portion 234 are provided on at least one outer surface of the annular member 23. The annular member 23 also includes a through hole 233 that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction, and a chamfered region 232 is provided on at least one end of the through hole 233. In other words, when the rear axle fitting portion 231 and the chamfered region 232 are provided on both ends of the annular member 23, the annular member 23 can have a symmetrical shape in the front-to-rear direction. This eliminates any need for directionality of the parts, improving assembly ease.

[0042] In this embodiment, rear axle fitting portion 231 is provided with a circumferentially formed recessed groove, but it may also be a circumferentially formed outward protrusion or a circumferentially smooth surface. It should be noted that in this embodiment, fitting portion 116 of rear axle 114 is a circumferentially formed inward protrusion. This inner hole protrusion also serves to prevent the rotating member of the extension / retraction mechanism from falling off rear axle 114.

[0043] The writing instrument 10 configured as above operates as follows.

[0044] According to this embodiment, the annular member 13 is press-fitted (fitted or fitted) into the rear of the front barrel 111, and the writing element 12 is loosely fitted into the annular member 13. This ensures that the annular member 13 is securely fixed to the rear of the front barrel 111 and does not move unexpectedly in the front-to-rear direction. This also maintains the effect of suppressing rattle of the writing element 12 within the barrel tube 11. Furthermore, when replacing the writing element 12, the user does not need to remove the annular member 13, which prevents the annular member 13 from being lost.

[0045] Furthermore, the writing instrument 10 of this embodiment is a retractable writing instrument. According to this embodiment, the writing body 12 is loosely inserted into the annular member 13. Therefore, even if the writing body 12 of the retractable writing instrument moves back and forth within the barrel 11, the annular member 13 does not move back and forth because it is press-fitted and locked (fitted or fitted) into the rear part of the front barrel 111. In other words, applying the present invention to a retractable writing instrument can more significantly enjoy the above-mentioned effects of the present invention. However, the same functions and effects can be achieved with a cap-type writing instrument equipped with a cap that covers the pen tip.

[0046] In general, the ink reservoir tube made of a metal pipe can have a thinner wall. As a result, the ink reservoir tube 122 made of a metal pipe can hold more ink than an ink reservoir tube made of a resin pipe (assuming the outer diameter of the ink reservoir tube is approximately the same).

[0047] On the other hand, increasing the amount of ink stored by using an ink reservoir 122 made of a metal pipe results in a relative increase in the weight of the writing element 12 compared to a writing element equipped with an ink reservoir made of a plastic pipe of the same outer diameter.

[0048] As a result, the writing element 12 equipped with the ink reservoir 122 made of a metal pipe is more likely to vibrate when subjected to external vibrations, which may cause the writing element 12 to rattle significantly inside the barrel 11.

[0049] Therefore, by applying the present invention to a writing instrument having a writing element 12 in which the ink reservoir 122 is a metal pipe, the above-mentioned effects of the present invention can be more significantly achieved even when a heavy writing element 12 is used. However, the same functions and effects can be achieved even when the ink reservoir 122 is a resin pipe.

[0050] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present embodiment, annular member 13 includes front shaft fitting portion 131 that fits with the inner surface of the rear end of front shaft 111. This eliminates the need to reduce the inner diameter of front shaft 111, making it easier to provide a draft angle on the inner surface of front shaft 111 and facilitating the molding of front shaft 111.

[0051] Furthermore, annular member 13 includes through-hole 133 that penetrates in the front-rear direction, and flange 135 that abuts against the rear end of front barrel 111. This allows annular member 13 to be easily and reliably attached to front barrel 111. As a result, rattle of writing element 12 within barrel tube 11 can be reliably suppressed.

[0052] In addition, a chamfered region 132 is provided at the rear end of the through-hole 133. This prevents damage to the pen tip 121 caused by the pen tip 121 hitting the end face (brim portion 135) of the annular member 13 when replacing the writing element 12. It also makes it easier to insert the writing element 12 into the front barrel 111 (annular member 13). Furthermore, by providing the annular member 13 with a guide portion 134 in front of the front barrel fitting portion 131, it becomes easier to insert the annular member 13 into the front barrel 111, improving assembly.

[0053] In one aspect of the present embodiment, annular member 23 includes rear barrel fitting portion 231 that fits with the inner surface of rear barrel 114. In other words, annular member 23 is housed within the inner surface of rear barrel 114. This prevents the user from coming into contact with annular member 23 when replacing writing element 12, thereby preventing annular member 23 from coming off and being lost.

[0054] The annular member 23 also has a through-hole 233 that penetrates in the front-rear direction, and a chamfered region 232 is provided at at least one end of the through-hole 233. That is, when the rear barrel fitting portion 231 and the chamfered region 232 are provided at both ends of the annular member 23, the annular member 23 can be made symmetrical in the front-rear direction. This eliminates the need for a specific direction for the parts, improving assembly. Furthermore, when replacing the writing element 12, it becomes easy to insert the writing element 12 into the rear barrel 114 (annular member 23). Furthermore, by providing the annular member 23 with a guide portion 234 axially outward of the rear barrel fitting portion 231, it becomes easy to insert the annular member 23 into the rear barrel 114, improving assembly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Writing instruments 11 Shaft tube 111 Front axis 112 Male thread 113 Fitting part 114 rear axle 115 Female thread 116 Fitting part 12 Cursive 121 Pen Tip 122 Ink reservoir 123 Holder 13 Annular member 131 Front axle fitting 132 Chamfer Area 133 Through hole 134 Information Department 135 Tsuba 14 Spring body 15 Soft materials 16 Control section 23 Annular member 231 Rear shaft fitting part 232 Chamfer Area 233 Through Hole 234 Information Department

Claims

[Claim 1] a barrel having an opening at its front end; A writing element housed in the barrel; an annular member attached to the inner surface of the barrel, The writing instrument includes a pen tip and an ink reservoir tube containing ink therein, the barrel comprises at least a front barrel having the opening through which the pen tip projects, and a rear barrel detachably screwed onto the front barrel, the annular member is fitted to an outer surface of the rear end of the front shaft, The writing element is loosely inserted into the annular member, A writing instrument characterized in that the annular member has a front shaft fitting portion that fits with the outer surface of the rear end of the front shaft, a through hole that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction, and a flange portion that abuts against the rear end of the front shaft.

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